NORTH LONDON HEAD GARDENERS - Key Persons


Conor Chignoli

Job Titles:
  • Member of Our Friendly Team
Conor is another member of our friendly team. He comes from an arts and graphic design background and has a great working knowledge of 3D design. He is also is a practising fine artist, as well as being a part-time tattoo artist. Conor is currently studying for his RHS level 2.

Gavin Smith

Gavin is a very knowledgable lighting designer with decades of theatre and corporate installation experience. He works closely with our clients to maximise the pleasure of their outdoor spaces with both contemporary and period lighting.

Laura Arison

Laura is originally from a fine art background, a decision to change career led her to train with the RHS and then The Pickard School of Garden Design. She has won a number of awards for her designs, including Gold medal for her ‘CCLA's A Summer Retreat' at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, Gold Medal and Best in Show for ‘Maggie's Forest Garden' RHS Tatton Flower Show and Silver Gilt Award for ‘CCLA's A Family Garden RHS Chatsworth.

Naomi Schillinger

Naomi Schillinger is a gardener, planting and garden designer, garden writer and is the author of Veg Street. Having worked as a photographer and ceramicist for many years, she decided to transfer her creative skills to gardening and retrained in garden design at Capel Manor. Her blog, Out of My Shed, has gained a huge following over the years, packed full of simple how to's and shared knowledge, and full of wonderful gardens to visit in the uk and further afield.

Penny Sychrava

Job Titles:
  • Member of Our Burgeoning Design Team
Penny is the latest member of our burgeoning design team, taking on South London projects and further afield. She also has a fine arts background and has for many years worked in Arts PR, promoting exhibitions at some of the UK's top art institutions. Having always had a passion for gardening, she has retrained in Garden Design at Capel Manor and we're delighted to be able to add her joyous creative skills to our practice.